FireSmart Alberta: Protecting our Community from Wildfire

​Wildfires are a growing concern across Alberta—especially for communities like ours that are surrounded by forests, grasslands, and lakeshores. That’s why the Summer Village of White Sands encourages all residents, seasonal visitors, and property owners to follow the FireSmart Alberta model to reduce the risk of wildfire emergencies in our area.

What is FireSmart?

FireSmart is a nationally recognized program developed to help communities and individuals take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risks. The Alberta-based model focuses on education, prevention, and preparedness to help protect homes, properties, and natural landscapes.

Why FireSmart Matters in White Sands?

The Summer Village of White Sands is located in a beautiful Central Parkland Natural Subregion of the Parkland Natural Region. With warm summers, natural vegetation, and increasing dry conditions, the potential for wildfire is a real possibility!
By adopting FireSmart principles, we can:

• Reduce the chances of wildfire damage to homes and cabins
• Protect our shared community spaces and shoreline
• Increase emergency response efficiency
• ​Help keep our residents, visitors, and first responders safe

Simple FireSmart Actions You Can Take

Even small changes can make a big difference. Here are just a few FireSmart actions that help reduce risk:

• Keep yards and lots tidy – Remove dry grasses, pine needles, and dead branches.
• Create defensible space – Maintain at least 1.5 metres of space between your home and any flammable vegetation.
• Use fire-resistant materials – Choose metal or asphalt roofing, and fire-retardant siding if building or renovating.
• Move firewood away from buildings – Stack it at least 10 metres away from your home.
• Trim trees – Prune lower branches to prevent ground fires from climbing into tree canopies.
• Clear gutters and roofs – Keep them free of debris that can easily ignite.

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Community-Wide Benefits

When everyone participates in FireSmart practices, the whole village becomes more resilient. A FireSmart community:

• Experiences fewer evacuations and losses
  
• Reduces the workload on firefighting resources
  
• Rebuilds faster after a fire
  
• Attracts long-term property investment and seasonal enjoyment

What Council is Doing?

The Council acknowledges and values the individual concerns raised by property owners. In addition to current safety measures, the municipality is actively working with Regional Fire Services to assess and implement best practices for containing fire incidents—especially in rural areas—before emergency crews arrive. This is particularly important in rural settings, where response times may be longer due to distance and terrain.

Looking ahead, key actions being considered include:

• Reviewing and planning FireSmart strategies for municipal reserve lands to reduce available fuel and slow the spread of wildfires in rural zones
• Exploring new fire lane access routes to improve emergency vehicle access to hard-to-reach rural properties and natural areas
• Evaluating long-term fire prevention options tailored to the needs and challenges of rural landscape

​ These discussions will carefully consider the impacts to residents, including:

• Maintenance and future upkeep
• Costs to the community and property owners
• Privacy and environmental impacts
• Aesthetic and lifestyle values that make our community a great place to live

​These efforts reflect the municipality’s commitment to reducing fire risk while preserving the rural character and quality of life that residents deeply value.

Get Started Today!

Visit the FireSmart Alberta website for guides, checklists, and videos. You’ll find valuable resources for homeowners, builders, and local governments.

Let’s work together to protect White Sands and preserve our natural beauty—now and for future generations.